AAA: Cost to drive down this year; museum may keep sinkhole

Cost to drive is down this year, AAA says
It's less expensive to drive this year than last year, according to AAA's annual Your Driving Costs study. The cost to own and operate a sedan in the U.S. dropped 2.7 percent from 2013. The average cost fell 1.64 cents to 59.2 cents per mile, or $8,876 per year, based on 15,000 miles of annual driving. The cost to drive an SUV fell 3.7 cents to 73.6 cents per mile, or $11,039 per year. Several costs dropped for the year: fuel (10.4 percent lower), tires (3 percent), depreciation (1.71 percent) and insurance (0.58 percent). Maintenance costs rose 1.81 percent.
— NWautos staff

(The Associated Press file)

Museum may keep sinkhole as attraction
The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky., is considering keeping a sinkhole that swallowed eight Corvettes in February. Attendance at the museum rose 56 percent in March and 48 percent last month after the 40-foot-wide-by-60-foot-deep hole formed. "We are in the business to preserve the history of the car — which now includes a sinkhole," says museum spokeswoman Katie Frassinelli. Current visitors can see the sinkhole, and museum officials are considering installing a glass floor or bridge above the hole and possibly stairs into it. The final car was removed from the sinkhole in March.
— The Associated Press

Share your Route 66 memories
Share your kicks from a Route 66 road trip for an upcoming story in NWautos. In 75 words or less, tell us your favorite stretch of the highway or top roadside attraction and why it appealed to you. Email your story and the year, make and model of the car you drove to editor@nwautos.com. Please include your name and the city where you live.